intermittent starting issue

[sarahb3579]

Hi guys, new driver here and i am so stuck. I bought an audi a1 2014. Recently, the car has had intermittent starting issues and makes a 'clicking' noise when trying to switch it on. It will start sometimes and other times it wont, its completely random.

I took it to a garage, he tested the battery, battery was fine (also may i add, i had my cousin try to jump start the car when it wouldnt switch on and the car wouldnt start. So i was told its not a battery issue or it would have jump started)

-changed the starter motor to a new one

-chnaged the ignition switch

-cables have been checked and no issues have been detected, i've been told

-power is reaching the starter motor

a different mechanic has told me it is still potential issues with the starter motor since new ones can have issues and you need a specifc one?

Advice would be massively appreciated! I dont have the best car knowledge and taking it to multiple mechanics is getting a little expensive! thank you so so much in advance. 

[Steve Q]

If this has been bought from a dealer in the last 30 days then it should be the dealers responsibility to fix free of charge. 

Alternatively, have you had a diagnostic test to see if any fault codes flag up? 

Could it be an issue with the cars imobiliser? 

[sarahb3579]

unfortunately i was a bit stupid and bought it from a private seller :(- a family friend but there have been no issues with the car when the previous owner drove it. the only other thing i can think of is it was parked at the dads workplace for a good few months and not switched on/ used, i had my own theory of corroded cables? 

the cars has been to 2 seperate mechanics and had diagnostic tests and they both came to the same conclusion the 'clicking' noise- the best way i can describe it when i put the key in and the car wont even crank is a starter motor issue. new mechanic is going to put in a working starter motor and test it in that way.

the imobiliser has not been mentioned at all.

and thank you so much, really really appreciative for the response its been a month of this! 

[sarahb3579]

thats the clicking noise 

[Steve Q]

You're welcome, happy to help. If the car has sat along time it might be worth considering the battery being at fault. Especially if it's over 5 years old. You could get this tested to see if it's working properly.  

[sarahb3579]

the battery was changed to a new one, then the old battery was placed back into the car since it was tested and working completely fine, and the added fact that the car couldnt jump start- just so complicated!

i keep getting told its the starter motor but im a little bit suspicious since its been changed to a new one and the narrative with that is that new starter motors can be faulty/ not the correct one. 

also i was driving it around for weeks before this completely fine almost everyday then suddenly all these issues 😞

[Steve Q]

It's probably a case of one issue but mechanics are struggling to diagnose it. 

What engine has the A1 got and how many miles? 

[cliffcoggin]

The clicking noise usually comes from the starter solenoid which you have not mentioned yet. Has it been checked?

[sarahb3579]

7 hours ago, Steve Q said:

It's probably a case of one issue but mechanics are struggling to diagnose it. 

What engine has the A1 got and how many miles? 

sorry if this isnt the answer youre looking for im hopeless with cars, its a 1.2? it has around 50,000 miles 

thanks!

[sarahb3579]

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

The clicking noise usually comes from the starter solenoid which you have not mentioned yet. Has it been checked?

the solenoid hasnt been mentioned yet actually now i think back- would that still be an issue if i change the entire starter motor?

thank you! 

[Steve Q]

Just checked similar threads. I member had a similar issue with there A1 and the positive terminal had corrosion which was stopping it from starting properly: 

 

[sarahb3579]

1 hour ago, Steve Q said:

Just checked similar threads. I member had a similar issue with there A1 and the positive terminal had corrosion which was stopping it from starting properly: 

 

thank you! i took a read through and im not getting any error notifications just the not cranking issue. i will ask for them to look for corrosion actually thats a good idea. thank you!! so so appreciative 🙂

[Steve Q]

You're welcome please keep us posted on how you get on 🙂

[Magnet]

Hello Sarah,

Sorry to hear of your issue. I think that if it were mine, I would be getting the car inspected by a trusted local auto electrician - they should be better versed in such issues than a local garage. 
As a matter of interest:-

Is it a manual? If so, do you need to depress the clutch pedal or similar to normally start the car?

Make of newly replaced battery? 

Regards,

Gareth. 

 

[sarahb3579]

18 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Sarah,

Sorry to hear of your issue. I think that if it were mine, I would be getting the car inspected by a trusted local auto electrician - they should be better versed in such issues than a local garage. 
As a matter of interest:-

Is it a manual? If so, do you need to depress the clutch pedal or similar to normally start the car?

Make of newly replaced battery? 

Regards,

Gareth. 

 

yes, so i have it currently at a garage who does specialise, im on the third one and they all reckon its a faulty new starter motor that was put in. it is manual and i dont need to depress the clutch, the car starts like every regular car. I know the battery says 'varta' on it is that what youre reffering to? 

thank you!!! 

[Magnet]

Thanks,

Faulty new starter motor? The fact that it’s new is no guarantee that it is serviceable out-of-the-box, or that it will remain so during its guarantee period. Sub standard electrical components from distance parts are not uncommon! Having said that, was your original one the culprit??
Varta battery should be fine and is likely to be the OEM brand, although I have had issues with them in recent years, and no longer depend on their quality vs. brand. 
Pressing clutch pedal before starting:- by no means an uncommon requirement. 

[sarahb3579]

6 hours ago, Magnet said:

Thanks,

Faulty new starter motor? The fact that it’s new is no guarantee that it is serviceable out-of-the-box, or that it will remain so during its guarantee period. Sub standard electrical components from distance parts are not uncommon! Having said that, was your original one the culprit??
Varta battery should be fine and is likely to be the OEM brand, although I have had issues with them in recent years, and no longer depend on their quality vs. brand. 
Pressing clutch pedal before starting:- by no means an uncommon requirement. 

update!! this was found, the mechanic forwarded me the picture but not sure where it is. starter is still being chnaged tho to a new one just in case i think. originally, i changed it to a new one, drove it around fine for 2 weeks and then had the same issue of not starting. first mechanic said the starter has been changed before i bought the car so not sure what that was about. 

[cliffcoggin]

That burnt cable would certainly explain the starting problem. I hope your mechanic is going to renew the cable rather then just wrapping bit of tape around it, and then secure the cable with a clip so that it does not flop around and wear the insulation off.

[sarahb3579]

10 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

That burnt cable would certainly explain the starting problem. I hope your mechanic is going to renew the cable rather then just wrapping bit of tape around it, and then secure the cable with a clip so that it does not flop around and wear the insulation off.

judging by the photo im assuming the cables connected to either the starter/ battery but he didnt say. i hope so too only took the third time to the mechanics but finally something has been found !! i shall update when i hear back. thank you!!! much appreciated 🙂

[Steve Q]

Glad the mechanic has got to the bottom of it 🙂 please keep us posted 

[Magnet]

Difficult to say from your photo, but that may be the engine earth. Let’s hope it isn’t, since if it is, I would not think that in isolation would prevent the starter motor from doing at least something. 
Regards,Gareth.

[sarahb3579]

thats the only picture he sent me or i would have posted another!! 

thank you so so much all for your guys help, so so appreciative and will keep you all updated!!! 🙂

[Magnet]

Be careful you don’t wear your exclamation button out.